HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1038        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 527

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Martha M. Walz

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act supporting educators’ professional development.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Martha M. Walz

8th Suffolk

1/15/2013

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

 

Denise Andrews

2nd Franklin

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1038        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 527

By Ms. Walz of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 527) of Martha M. Walz, Kay Khan and Denise Andrews relative to the preparation and implementation of professional development plans for public school teachers.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act supporting educators’ professional development.

 

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to which is to support high-quality professional development for public school educators, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 38Q of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall annually prepare a plan for providing statewide assistance in the preparation and implementation of professional development plans in conjunction with a broad-based coalition of teachers, principals, superintendents and higher education representatives. The plan shall provide opportunities for district collaboration and shall evaluate the feasibility of obtaining assistance from institutions of higher education and private service providers. The plan shall include data that demonstrates, statewide and by school district, the types of professional development provided for educators who work with limited English proficient students. The commissioner shall consult with the board of higher education in developing the plan. To support the development of the statewide plan, the department of elementary and secondary education shall document district professional development practices and shall create a network of schools and districts that demonstrate high-quality professional development practices and evidence of improving student achievement. The network shall support low-performing schools and districts in the development of professional development plans that improve student achievement. The plan shall be submitted to the board of elementary and secondary education for approval. A copy of the plan shall be submitted to the joint committee on education not later than July 31.